Police use social networking to fight crime

Published: Saturday, November 3, 2012 at 6:01 a.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, November 3, 2012 at 1:04 a.m.

Local police are increasingly using social-networking websites such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter to solve crimes.

"It has been extremely instrumental in assisting the Houma Police Department with a wide range of investigations, such as locating missing persons, various suspects or even leads pertaining to investigations," Lt. Dana Coleman said in an email.

It's not uncommon, police said, for detectives to check people's Facebook pages during an investigation.

In addition, Houma and Thibodaux police have Facebook pages. The Terrebonne Sheriff's Office joined Facebook in August. Thibodaux Police keep an updated YouTube account and joined Twitter this week.

But it's not always police themselves who glean crime tips from social-networking sites.

In Thibodaux, a resident came across some youths riding all-terrain-vehicles after Hurricane Isaac. The resident knew some ATVs had been reported stolen in the area and befriended one of the kids on Facebook. During their chats, the boy gave away information about where they got the ATVs, which Thibodaux Police used to arrest two youths in connection with the thefts.

Thibodaux Police have seen lots of cases in which people post information on Facebook, for anyone to see, about fights in which they were involved, Silverii said. Police have followed up on several such cases, using the posts as evidence.

Meanwhile, CrimeStoppers designed an smartphone app this year called TipSubmit, which allows users to send police information, including photos or video, about crimes they see or suspect. It is available for iPhones and Android smartphones.

Silverii said Thibodaux Police are having a similar app developed that will allow smartphone users to report crimes directly to the agency.

Less than half of crimes that occur are reported to police, Silverii said, adding that his department is always looking for ways to "gather and gain and encourage people to communicate with us."

<p>Local police are increasingly using social-networking websites such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter to solve crimes.</p><p>"It has been extremely instrumental in assisting the Houma Police Department with a wide range of investigations, such as locating missing persons, various suspects or even leads pertaining to investigations," Lt. Dana Coleman said in an email.</p><p>It's not uncommon, police said, for detectives to check people's Facebook pages during an investigation.</p><p>In addition, Houma and Thibodaux police have Facebook pages. The Terrebonne Sheriff's Office joined Facebook in August. Thibodaux Police keep an updated YouTube account and joined Twitter this week.</p><p>Those tools allow police disseminate information directly in addition to using traditional media outlets, Thibodaux Police Chief Scott Silverii said.</p><p>On Facebook, Thibodaux Police post information, photos and video of recent arrests, information on crime suspects being sought and safety tips.</p><p>But it's not always police themselves who glean crime tips from social-networking sites.</p><p>In Thibodaux, a resident came across some youths riding all-terrain-vehicles after Hurricane Isaac. The resident knew some ATVs had been reported stolen in the area and befriended one of the kids on Facebook. During their chats, the boy gave away information about where they got the ATVs, which Thibodaux Police used to arrest two youths in connection with the thefts.</p><p>Thibodaux Police have seen lots of cases in which people post information on Facebook, for anyone to see, about fights in which they were involved, Silverii said. Police have followed up on several such cases, using the posts as evidence.</p><p>Meanwhile, CrimeStoppers designed an smartphone app this year called TipSubmit, which allows users to send police information, including photos or video, about crimes they see or suspect. It is available for iPhones and Android smartphones.</p><p>Silverii said Thibodaux Police are having a similar app developed that will allow smartphone users to report crimes directly to the agency.</p><p>Less than half of crimes that occur are reported to police, Silverii said, adding that his department is always looking for ways to "gather and gain and encourage people to communicate with us."</p>